Job Description

Overview
Step into a role where education feels meaningful, innovative and genuinely life-changing. At Different Steps CIC, part of the Animal Antiks family, you'll lead a unique post-16 SEND provision set on our therapeutic working farm, shaping high-quality teaching, accredited qualifications and person-centred learning that helps young people grow in confidence, skills and independence. If you're a passionate educator with strong leadership experience and a commitment to inclusive practice, this is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Job Salary38,000 - 42,000 per annum
Contract Type Permanent
Hours Full-Time 8:30am - 4:30pm
Closing Date for Applications 28th December 2025
About us
Different Steps CIC is a specialist post-16 education provider based on a therapeutic working farm in Buckinghamshire. As part of the Animal Antiks family, we offer young people with EHCPs a unique blend of accredited learning, practical skills and nature-based experiences designed to build confidence, independence and real-world readiness. Our supportive and inclusive environment allows learners to thrive through hands-on engagement with animals, outdoor learning and person-centred teaching. We are a growing organisation with a clear mission: to help every young person discover their strengths and progress towards meaningful futures.
About the role
As our Head of Education, you will lead the vision, direction and delivery of all our educational programmes - including City & Guilds Animal Care, ASDAN courses and our Supported Internships programme. You'll blend strategic leadership with on-the-ground teamwork, ensuring high-quality teaching, outstanding learner experiences and a curriculum that truly reflects our values: practical, nurturing, inclusive and rooted in real-life skills. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to build something meaningful, innovate with outdoor learning, and shape the future of a growing educational provision.
What You'll be Doing:
Educational Leadership:

• Leading, developing and continuously improving all education programmes
• Ensuring our curriculum meets awarding-body requirements and aligns with learner EHCP outcomes
• Championing high standards in teaching, assessment and progress
• Using data and quality processes to drive learner achievement and positive destinations

Team Leadership:

• Line managing and supporting a team of 4 (including 2 Assessors)
• Leading recruitment, appraisals, CPD and professional growth
• Creating a collaborative, supportive team culture

Qualification Delivery:

• Overseeing City & Guilds L1-L2 Animal Care and ASDAN CoPE
• Ensuring robust assessment, internal quality assurance and external moderation
• Working closely with centre reps, external verifiers and awarding bodies

Digital Learning (OneFile):

• Providing leadership on OneFile use across programmes
• Supporting staff with training, consistency and digital practice
• Ensuring accurate progress tracking and accessible learning

Supported Internships:

• Developing and delivering our Supported Internships offer
• Building relationships with employers and placement providers
• Overseeing job coaching, progress and transition planning

Compliance & Partnerships:

• Maintaining readiness for Ofsted and external inspections
• Upholding safeguarding, equality and SEND best practice
• Working with families, local authorities, commissioners and employers.

About you
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
Essential:

• A teaching qualification (PGCE, CertEd or equivalent)
• Strong experience in SEND education and EHCP-led provision
• Leadership experience in a school, college or specialist setting
• Curriculum development and quality assurance experience
• Knowledge of City & Guilds/ASDAN (or similar awarding bodies)
• A passion for inclusive, nature-based or alternative education
• Excellent communication, data literacy and emotional intelligence

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience in specialist, therapeutic or outdoor learning
• IQA qualification (or willingness to work toward it)
• Knowledge of Supported Internships
• Experience using OneFile

Most importantly, you'll be someone who genuinely cares about creating opportunities for young people who may have struggled in mainstream settings.
Benefits

• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Ongoing CPD and funded qualifications
• Free parking and beautiful rural setting
• Mix of indoor and outdoor learning environments
• Genuine career development within the growing Animal Antiks Group
• The chance to make an extraordinary difference in young people's lives.

Other information
Please email your CV with covering letter (no more than 2 pages) to
Different Steps CIC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks.

Skills Required